Classy Cat!

Puma’s Woods Walker gets the job done with style.

Technology is a funny thing. While we think of modern knives as being state-of-the-art it is interesting to note one of the most popular handle materials today is Micarta, a tough synthetic developed in the early 1900s. However, it pales in comparison to Stag, which dates back 35 million years when the first deer appeared during the late Oligocene Epoch. If you’ve ever tried to cut or abrade deer antler, you’re well aware it is one of the toughest organic materials you’ll ever fool with. It is also one of the most attractive handles materials for a knife you’ll ever see.

Enter the Waldlaufer, a classy Stag-handled drop point from Puma every bit as tough as it is attractive. The word Waldlaufer translates from German to “Woods Walker,” but that descriptive moniker doesn’t nearly describe the capabilities of this knife. First and foremost, hunters will appreciate the Waldlaufer for its ability to skin game. The drop point—recognized for its ability to glide under flesh without spearing an animal’s innerds—is by far the most popular blade style for skinners, and at 3.4″ in length, the Waldlaufer’s 440C blade is versatile enough to handle large North American game and smaller fare to boot. Though it may be considered common compared to many of the fancy steels gracing many of today’s modern knives, 440C is a time-proven steel and nobody does a better job of getting the most out of this steel than the German manufacturers.

Traditionalists will appreciate this knife for its classic styling. A brass guard graces a clean, no-nonsense handle shape that tapers out at the base, fitting the hand like a glove. But let’s face it, the crowning Waldlaufer’s touch is its exquisite Stag handles. As hunting knives go, nothing warms the cockles like deer antler, and Puma does it here in spades. Trying to find a stag handled production knife these days is like looking for a needle in a haystack of synthetic gobbledygook. Look no farther! The Puma Waldlaufer retails for $199 and comes with a handsome, genuine leather sheath.
Story By: Pat Covert